While the modern day Sunflower League is seeing growth in so many areas, we have individual Football programs making strides that have never been seen before by any of its current or former member schools.
Having done some digging deep in to the Sun Football archives from 1951 to this 2016 season, the #45 seems to have found a new meaning for the SM East Football Lancers. That said, this is a team accomplishment, that includes all of the Coaching staff who have been able to see the student-athletes at SM East grow in to a Football program since the 2010 season.
After 45 games played, only three Head Coaches within the history of the League, and SMSD #512 only have reached some unparalled Football heights.
In just six (6) seasons Larry Taylor (SM North) and John Davis (SM South) have made the Football programs that they took over in to State Football powerhouses of their respective era's. From 1964 to 1969 the Indians reeled off a 36-7-3 record. This included 2 State Titles in '65 and '67 and multiple League titles in 65-66-67-68-69.
John Davis did the same with the Raiders, from 1966 to 1970 (5) in a similar fashion. Coach Davis' record was an incredible 31-10-4 with losses to Dick Purdy's West Vikings, and the Lawrence Chesty Lions that owned the SMSD schools in that era of time.
These days, with a record that none of the current (12) or former (87) Head Coaches can brag about is that of the SM East Football Lancers led by Dustin Delaney in his fourth season.
In 45 total games, Delaney's Lancers have done something no other relatively new Head Coach to the league can bring about to the 15 Sunflower Football programs. Even Bill Freeman's 15 year tenure with the Chesty Lions, first five (5) seasons are no where close to Delaney's Lancers averaging 3.5 losses per season. From 1978 to 1989, Freeman's Chesty Lions went on to win 5 State Championships and retire with a 134-38 record. Coach Bill Freeman's first State Title came in his sixth season 1979.
Of all 87 Head Coaches, only Dustin Delaney, and SM North Football Coaching legend have one thing in common, winning a large Kansas Class State Title in their second season. In 1964, the Indians were a paltry 3-5-1 after 9 games. The following year in 1965 the Indians completed their first of many 9-0 seasons under Larry Taylor, and were declared the State Champions at that time. A State Tournament was not played or started by the KSHSAA until 1969-70 school year. Delaney's Lancers have finished 11-2, and 13-0 (24-2 overall) respectively in his first two seasons. That stands alone bettering former Olathe North Eagles Head Coach John McCall who finished 22-4 in 2003-04 after Gene Weir left for to become the Head Coach of the Richland Rebels TX.
Coach Delaney's Lancers are on pace to reach, and surpass those numbers of Larry Taylor, John Davis, and SM West Coach Tim Callaghan at the conclusion of the Lancers season after four complete seasons.
Run at "45" Games:
School - Head Coach - Overall Totals
@ SME - Dustin Delaney - 40-5, 45 GC, 888 W%
SMN - Larry Taylor - 36-7-3, 45 GC, 800 W%
SMS - John Davis - 31-10-4, 45 GC, 688 W%
@ = Active
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