Sunflower League Previews: Week 5

9-29

SM West vs SM Northwest @ SM South (SMW leads the series 32-17)

The Vikings Tim Callaghan is still looking to achieve a historical SMSD #512 accomplishment to win his 100th all-time game at SM West. John Davis' Raiders won it in his 15th season during the 1980 season against STL-Beaumont winning outright 27-6.

For the first time since 1977, Larry Taylor SM North Indians mentor accomplished his 100th win vs. the NW Cougars in week-5 with a 10-0 win in his 14th season. Tonight, the Vikings could possibly repeat this accomplishment as well also against the Cougars.

Under Callaghan's watch, the NW Cougars have struggled going 2-8 in their last 10 games against the powerful Vikings offense. In all, Callaghan is 10-3 in 13 meetings with the Vikings only losing to the Cougars in the 2003-2007-2013 seasons. In that period of time, NW has had four Head Coaches come and go.

Bo Black's Cougars are looking to make some noise in hopes of getting their first win as well as the back half of this schedule begins to take place. Separation week is now here and like the Raiders, the Cougars are desperate for a win.


9-30

Olathe North vs Lawrence @ ODAC (ON leads the series 19-13)

The Eagles and Chesty Lions have been by far two of the best in the Sunflower in recent seasons.

Tonight is no different as the Eagles look continue to dominate this series.

With Lawrence defeating the Vikings last week, this could be a great game as Lawrence looks to achieve a path of an undefeated Sunflower League season.

2011 and 2015 are the last time the Eagles have lost to the Chesty Lions during regular season play. While these two have not seen each other on the schedule consistently, it is safe to say that come playoff time they could meet again.

SM East vs SM North @ SM North (SM North leads the series 30-21-1)

Entering tonights game, the Lancers have won nine (9) straight since the 2008 season, and the last Indians win coming under Ryan Majors in a crazy 41-38 - OT win against former Head Coach John Stonner.

The Indians are off to an impressive 2-2 start and only seem to be getting better week to week. Despite a tough home loss to the ONW Ravens last Thursday the potential is there for SM North to do close out the regular season on a great note. QB Will Schneider's growth leading this team has been nothing short of impressive now that Harmon and Wyandotte are removed from the Indians schedule. The Indians are for real, and could easily find themselves in the drivers seat come post-season play.

Dustin Delaney's Lancers are coming off a huge road win at Olathe North. Look for the Lancers to continue to improve for the right to have a Top-4 seeding placement. The Lancers games against the Indians have mostly come in District play since the 2007 season.

Olathe South vs Free State @ Free State (OS leads the series 10-6) 

Since the 1997 season the Falcons and Firebirds are once again meeting for a great series match up on the gridiron.

While the Falcons have ODAC, the Firebirds have been impressive in their own right now that they have their own field of play. Home field advantage in games like these mean a lot when there is much on the line, and even in the middle of the 6A standings.

The Falcons played a great game vs. the Hawks, and look to continue against a strong Firebirds offense. Free State's Stadium opened in 2009 and their home record is 28W-12L.
*** Per Bobby Nightengale @nightengale of the Lawrence Journal World Sports/LJW

Olathe Northwest vs Leavenworth @CBAC (ONW leads the series 8-3)

Chip Shermans Ravens are coming off an impressive late game finale win over the SM North Indians. Mark Littrell and his Pioneers ended a five (5) game losing steak against the struggling SM South Raiders.

Since 2010, the Ravens are 4-1 in all meetings having not played in 2013.

While the Pioneers took care of the Raiders on the scoreboard, playing the Ravens will be a much larger task but could be a huge confidence boost as well to rise in the SFL and 5A bracket standings.

Olathe East vs SM South @ SM South (OE leads the series 18-0)

By far one of the most lopsided, series of any of the 12 league schools against each other is the OE vs SMS gridiron series. OE second year Head Coach Jesse Owen is 1-0 against the Raiders, while former Head Coach Jeff Meyers was 17-0 all-time.

Former Raiders mentors: Fred Merrill, Brett Potts, Don Hanna, Brandon Claypool, and Ryan Lonergan were all winless (17 tries) in this series dating to the 1992 first season as a Hawks Varsity program. The Raiders are working hard to get their first win, having put up a great fight against the Pioneers on the road last week.

Can the Raiders end this streak of winless games against the Hawks? It will be a tough goal to accomplish but could be done.