Unfortunately the BV Tigers lost on a last second FG to the Derby Panthers falling 17-14 earlier this afternoon. It was a great afternoon for our three Football programs representing their School Districts, and the county strong.
Our fellow Johnson County/Sunflower-EKL schools faired well with a record of 2-1 overall.
The Bishop Miege Stags defeated the Buhler Crusaders for the 4A-1 title and the Mill Valley Jaguars won on a last second FG in Double OT to win their second 5A title in a row.
This Mill Valley Jaguars team won it with 9 wins being the last KS 6 or 5A team to win a State Title in single digit wins since the 1972. The SM West Vikings won it all with an 8-3 record! No other Johnson County 6 or 5A Football program has done so since the SMW Vikings of that 1970s era of SFL play.
Congrats again to all three High Schools, student-athletes, fans, parents, grandparents, Coaches, and Administrators for a great 2016 Football season!
As we move closer towards closing out the year, have a safe holiday season and study for your impending finals! We are proud of your work and looking forward to a great 2017 season ahead!
Thank you!
Saturday, November 26, 2016
Monday, November 21, 2016
Week-13 Championship Weekend 6A Final
Week-13 Bracket - STATE CHAMPIONSHIP REMATCH !!!
For Up to date Brackets from all classes: www.kshsaa.org
For Up to date Brackets from all classes: www.kshsaa.org
West vs East
1 Blue Valley Tigers (11-0) vs 1 Derby Panthers (11-0) @ Emporia 1:00 Kick
*** 18th & Merchant, Emporia, KS 66801 ***
*** 18th & Merchant, Emporia, KS 66801 ***
Series Roundups Week-12
West vs East
1 Blue Valley-EKL (12-0) vs 1 Derby-AVCTL (12-0) – Derby leads the series 1-0
The Blue Valley Tigers, and Derby Panthers will rematch for the 6A State Title this Saturday at Welch Stadium, and home of the Emporia State Hornets Football team.
It's not too often a rematch happens but it is always possible. The Olathe North Eagles, and Manhattan Indians met in 2000 and 2001with the Eagles sweeping both Titles those seasons. It happened again to the Olathe North Eagles, and Wichita Heights Falcons in 2009 and 2010. This time the series was tied at 1 State Final for each program.
To see a Sunflower League team represent the East has been quite honor. In 2015 and 2016 that torch has been carried by a strong, and very talented Blue Valley Tigers who have dominated all aspects of the regular season, and playoff play. In their Sub state game hosting the Lancers, it was by far one of the most exiting of finishes in recent history (this decade) many of us have been part of since the season started.
Blue Valley did to SM East, what SM East did to Olathe North to end their season in 2014 en route to a 6A State Title over the Hutchinson SaltHawks in OT and in the final possession with no time left on the clock.
This should be a great rematch for both programs, as the Panthers have won 22 straight games, and the Tigers at 12 straight entering Saturday's game.
For Derby, the path to State started out strong in week-9 with #16 Wichita North, #8 Wichita Northwest, #4 Hutchinson, and #6 Free State (SFL) all at home. With all four playoff games, the Panthers averaged 14 PA a game in which the Panthers alone averaged 54 Points For. It will take a lot for the Tigers to stop a high powered offense,
The Tigers of Stilwell, KS road to the final consisted of a great home slate of games starting out with #16 SM South, #9 Olathe South, #4 BV North, and #2 SM East. Each opponent managed only 20 PA the Tigers, in which it is very tough to win on the road at Blue Valley Stadium. Perhaps, one of the hardest road games to play outside of ODAC (Olathe North & South) home field. As for the Tigers offensive output, the team averaged 43 Points For. The Lancers of SM East gave their best competition prior to meeting Derby.
Best of luck to the Blue Valley Tigers of Stilwell, KS as we look forward to a great game Saturday afternoon!
It's not too often a rematch happens but it is always possible. The Olathe North Eagles, and Manhattan Indians met in 2000 and 2001with the Eagles sweeping both Titles those seasons. It happened again to the Olathe North Eagles, and Wichita Heights Falcons in 2009 and 2010. This time the series was tied at 1 State Final for each program.
To see a Sunflower League team represent the East has been quite honor. In 2015 and 2016 that torch has been carried by a strong, and very talented Blue Valley Tigers who have dominated all aspects of the regular season, and playoff play. In their Sub state game hosting the Lancers, it was by far one of the most exiting of finishes in recent history (this decade) many of us have been part of since the season started.
Blue Valley did to SM East, what SM East did to Olathe North to end their season in 2014 en route to a 6A State Title over the Hutchinson SaltHawks in OT and in the final possession with no time left on the clock.
This should be a great rematch for both programs, as the Panthers have won 22 straight games, and the Tigers at 12 straight entering Saturday's game.
For Derby, the path to State started out strong in week-9 with #16 Wichita North, #8 Wichita Northwest, #4 Hutchinson, and #6 Free State (SFL) all at home. With all four playoff games, the Panthers averaged 14 PA a game in which the Panthers alone averaged 54 Points For. It will take a lot for the Tigers to stop a high powered offense,
The Tigers of Stilwell, KS road to the final consisted of a great home slate of games starting out with #16 SM South, #9 Olathe South, #4 BV North, and #2 SM East. Each opponent managed only 20 PA the Tigers, in which it is very tough to win on the road at Blue Valley Stadium. Perhaps, one of the hardest road games to play outside of ODAC (Olathe North & South) home field. As for the Tigers offensive output, the team averaged 43 Points For. The Lancers of SM East gave their best competition prior to meeting Derby.
Best of luck to the Blue Valley Tigers of Stilwell, KS as we look forward to a great game Saturday afternoon!
Wednesday, November 16, 2016
SFL 2016 Simone Nominations
Thomas A. Simone Award (Most Outstanding Football Player)
SR - Will Schneider
Buck Buchanan Award (Most Outstanding Linman/Linebacker)
SR - Jay Dineen
Otis Taylor Award (Most Outstanding WR/TE)
SR - Trevor Thompson
These awards are a culmination of 34 years of awarding the Best High School Football athletes in the Kansas City metro area. There is a committee made of a panel of 10 media members that chose the 10 best student-athletes.
The awards ceremony will be held at the High School of the Thomas A. Simone winner.
From the four finalists the winners will be announced Tuesday, Dec. 6 at the high school of the winner of the Thomas A. Simone Award.
Sunflower Football Alumni - Simone Award Winners
2009 - James Franklin - Olathe North Eagles
2002 - Jim Bouknight - Olathe North Eagles
2001 - Maurice Mack - Olathe North Eagles
2000 - Darren Sproles - Olathe North Eagles
1997 - Josh Brewer - Olathe North Eagles
1995 - Arland Bruce III - Olathe North Eagles
1993 - Josh Thoren - Lawrence Chesty Lions
Monday, November 14, 2016
Week-12/Sub-State Finals 6A Playoffs
Week-12 Bracket
East
1 Blue Valley (11-0) vs 2 SM East (10-1) @ Blue Valley - 7pm
West
1 Derby (11-0) vs 6 Free State (9-2) @ Derby - 7pm
Series Roundups Week-12
East
Blue Valley (11-0) vs SM Eeast (10-1) – SM East leads the series 3-1
The last time these two met, former Blue Valley Tigers Coaching legend Steve Rampy (AC/Offensive Coordinator at Pitt State Gorillas) and current SM South Raiders Principal Todd Dain was roaming the sidelines for the Lancers in his second season as Head Coach in 2001.
After a coaching change was made in the Spring of 2000 at SM East, the Lancers went the route of a young Head Coach after nearly three decades or more of Coaches who had been together since the mid 1970s when their own careers began. Todd Dain, not new to SM East came over from Jon Krug's West Vikings Coaching staff and immediate changes were made. The Football culture became fresh, updated, and a path was clear to the expectations of Lancer Football more than a decade ago. Former Lancers Head Coaches John Stonner (AC at SM West), Chip Sherman (HC at Olathe Northwest), and Dustin Delaney brought the Lancers Football program in to it's zenith and beyond.
16 seasons later, that path is still followed, with adjustments made accordingly, the same with the Blue Valley Tigers, and former Blue Valley Tiger student-athlete, Eric Driskell, returning to the classroom and becoming an Assistant taking over for his mentor the great Steve Rampy.
The Blue Valley Tigers, are no strangers to post-season success. With multiple 5A State Titles in hand, winning football is a mantra early on ingrained in to the youngest of Freshman Football players until the day they walk out four years later young men leading a Varsity program.
This will be a true dog-fight from start to finish as both programs carry playoff experience and smart clock management when it comes to taking care of the ball, on both offense and defense in stopping the run or pass. With both teams playing well beyond anyone's expectations, look for a great game at Blue Valley Stadium. The venue alone, outside of Football is a great tailgating location and on of the best in our area! Get out to the stadium early!
The last time these two met, former Blue Valley Tigers Coaching legend Steve Rampy (AC/Offensive Coordinator at Pitt State Gorillas) and current SM South Raiders Principal Todd Dain was roaming the sidelines for the Lancers in his second season as Head Coach in 2001.
After a coaching change was made in the Spring of 2000 at SM East, the Lancers went the route of a young Head Coach after nearly three decades or more of Coaches who had been together since the mid 1970s when their own careers began. Todd Dain, not new to SM East came over from Jon Krug's West Vikings Coaching staff and immediate changes were made. The Football culture became fresh, updated, and a path was clear to the expectations of Lancer Football more than a decade ago. Former Lancers Head Coaches John Stonner (AC at SM West), Chip Sherman (HC at Olathe Northwest), and Dustin Delaney brought the Lancers Football program in to it's zenith and beyond.
16 seasons later, that path is still followed, with adjustments made accordingly, the same with the Blue Valley Tigers, and former Blue Valley Tiger student-athlete, Eric Driskell, returning to the classroom and becoming an Assistant taking over for his mentor the great Steve Rampy.
The Blue Valley Tigers, are no strangers to post-season success. With multiple 5A State Titles in hand, winning football is a mantra early on ingrained in to the youngest of Freshman Football players until the day they walk out four years later young men leading a Varsity program.
This will be a true dog-fight from start to finish as both programs carry playoff experience and smart clock management when it comes to taking care of the ball, on both offense and defense in stopping the run or pass. With both teams playing well beyond anyone's expectations, look for a great game at Blue Valley Stadium. The venue alone, outside of Football is a great tailgating location and on of the best in our area! Get out to the stadium early!
West
Derby (11-0) vs Free State (9-2) - Derby leads the series 1-0
Derby and Free State met for the first time in 2015 in the 6A State Semi-final.
The Panthers came away victorious with a 35-14 final score putting away any chance a Sunflower League team would return to the 6A State Final last season. That same week in 2015 the Olathe North Eagles lost to the same Blue Valley Tigers who have returned to the same semi-final this 2016 season.
Derby is continuing its hot-streak of play and has won 21 straight games. The Panthers last loss was on the road taking on the Mill Valley Jaguars in week-3 of the 2015 season 27-20. There is not a 6 or 5A Football team of those 21 games that has been able to slow the Panthers down.
Derby and Free State met for the first time in 2015 in the 6A State Semi-final.
The Panthers came away victorious with a 35-14 final score putting away any chance a Sunflower League team would return to the 6A State Final last season. That same week in 2015 the Olathe North Eagles lost to the same Blue Valley Tigers who have returned to the same semi-final this 2016 season.
Derby is continuing its hot-streak of play and has won 21 straight games. The Panthers last loss was on the road taking on the Mill Valley Jaguars in week-3 of the 2015 season 27-20. There is not a 6 or 5A Football team of those 21 games that has been able to slow the Panthers down.
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
Week-11/Sectional 6A East Playoffs Preview
All Class Brackets can be found on: www.kshsaa.org for up to date Final scores.
Week-11 Bracket
East
1 Blue Valley (10-0) vs 4 BV North (7-3) @ Blue Valley
2 SM East (9-1) vs 6 SM North (6-4) @ SM North Stadium
West
1 Derby (10-0) vs 4 Hutchinson (9-1) @ Derby
6 Free State (8-2) vs Washburn Rural (7-3) @ Free State
6 Free State (8-2) vs Washburn Rural (7-3) @ Free State
Series Roundups Week-11
East
Blue Valley (10-0) vs BV North (7-3) – Blue Valley leads the series 20-9
The Mustangs under Andy Sims have been revitalized as a Football program in his three years on the job.
Last season the Mustangs ended the Tigers string of 10 straight wins that suffered through three different Coaching changes. Stability is in for the long haul as the Mustangs have a chance to upset the Blue Valley Tigers on the road.
This is the first rematch ever in the history of both programs at any time during their 29 games played.
Eric Driskell's Tigers are 6-1 since taking over for Steve Rampy.
SM East (9-1) vs SM North (6-4) – SM North leads the series 22-30-1
These two long-time friends will meet in their very first playoff game in their 53rd all-time series history.
Just five weeks ago the Lancers put up 77 points running away for their ninth straight win against the Indians. The last Indians win came in 2007.
While the Indians are playing great in perhaps the toughest part of the East bracket, stopping the Lancers will be a tough task to be done. Can the Indians defense hold the Lancers? Gardner-Edgerton nearly did only to lose in the final seconds of the game. Ben Bartlett’s Indians are up to the task with the biggest roadblock in front of them, the SM East Shark defense.
West
Derby (10-0) vs Hutchinson (9-1) – Derby leads the series 29-22-1
Some of the Best of the West... Describes these two great Football teams.
Derby’s Brandon Clark has been steamrolling the 6A west for better part of this decade with only a few trip ups here and there. Playing Hutchinson is no easy task any time they are on the schedule. Since 2010, the two have met nine times with the Panthers coming away victorious four of the last five games. During both playoff meetings, the SaltHawks came out on top in 2012, and 2014 to end the Panthers season. For a third time in seven seasons they will meet again in another epic rematch.
Hutch’s Ryan Cornelson will have a tough task on his hands but this is what the playoffs are for. The SaltHawks can make some noise, and bracket-bust some more come Friday night.
Free State (8-2) vs Washburn Rural (7-3) – Free State leads the series 7-0
Looking back on this series, the JR Blues have not faired well in their meetings with the Firebirds.
Throughout the early 2000s these two played multiple times in week 9 of District play. With out much luck the JR Blues have had a tough go both home and away against the Firebirds.
Having had a handful of Coaching changes since Free State opened in 1997, the JR Blues will need to step up their play from the beginning. One asset the Firebirds will use to their full advantage is QB Dallas Crittendon, who transferred from Hayden. His knowledge will help carry the Firebirds, as he will be the only Firebird on the field with prior game history against the JR Blues.
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
Week-10/Regional of 6A East Playoff Preview
All Class Brackets can be found on: www.kshsaa.org for up to date Final scores.
Week-10 Bracket
East
1 Blue Valley (9-0) vs 9 Olathe South (4-5) @ Blue Valley
4 BV North (6-3) vs 5 SM West (6-3) @ BV North/BVDAC
2 SM East (8-1) vs 10 G-E Trailblazers (4-5) @ SM North Stadium
3 Lawrence (6-3) vs 6 SM North (5-4) @ Lawrence
West
3 Garden City Buffaloes (9-0) vs 6 Free State (7-2) @ Garden City
Series Roundups Week-10
6A-East
1 Blue Valley Tigers vs 9 Olathe South Falcons (Blue Valley leads the series 4-0, 7-5 all-time including EKL games 1981 to 1988)
For the Olathe South Falcons, this will not be an easy task marching in to Blue Valley Tigers Stadium. From the outset, this will be a tough game for the Falcons to pull an upset.
The Tigers are 4-0 in their meetings with the Falcons all coming in District play week-8. In most recent time these two played in 08, 09, 14, and 15 seasons. For the Falcons to come away with a win, it will take everything in the Falcons defense to stop one of the top offenses in the 6A East bracket. Playing well in these last three weeks has been a huge boost
The Tigers are 4-0 in their meetings with the Falcons all coming in District play week-8. In most recent time these two played in 08, 09, 14, and 15 seasons. For the Falcons to come away with a win, it will take everything in the Falcons defense to stop one of the top offenses in the 6A East bracket. Playing well in these last three weeks has been a huge boost
4 BV North Mustangs vs 5 SM West Vikings (SMW leads the series tied 8-4)
While these two may play in different leagues, locally they are no strangers to each other.
In their 12 games, each has been in either a week-8 or -9 District game of seasons past dating back to the 1989 season. Since 2010, the Mustangs are 1-3 in 4 District games played, with only the 2015 season making it into the 6A State playoffs.
Tim Callaghan's Vikings will have a big task on their hands with the Mustangs having won five in a row, and on a hot streak while the Vikings rebounded from a big loss to the Lancers with a strong defeat of the Wyandotte Bulldogs.
In their 12 games, each has been in either a week-8 or -9 District game of seasons past dating back to the 1989 season. Since 2010, the Mustangs are 1-3 in 4 District games played, with only the 2015 season making it into the 6A State playoffs.
Tim Callaghan's Vikings will have a big task on their hands with the Mustangs having won five in a row, and on a hot streak while the Vikings rebounded from a big loss to the Lancers with a strong defeat of the Wyandotte Bulldogs.
2 SM East Lancers vs 10 Gardner-Edgerton Trailblazers (SME leads the series 2-0)
The Lancers and Trailblazers will reunite for the playoffs after playing in a home and home series during the 2014 and 15 seasons.
With a chance to move on to the Quarter-finals, the Trailblazers have made drastic improvements after two down seasons in the EKL. With a tough task on their hands, the Trailblazers will have to muster a strong offensive output against the Lancers Shark Defense. It will not be easy to score against, as the Trailblazers themselves have given up 85 points against in both meetings against the Lancers. Scoring from the start will be key in gaining momentum to pull away with a win for either team.
3 Lawrence Chesty Lions vs 6 SM North Indians (Lawrence leads the series 50-20-3)
The Chesty Lions will have a tough chore ahead of them with the Indians on a hot streak defeating the Eagles of Olathe North this past Friday.
With all of the momentum swinging the Indians way, the Chesty Lions will need to find an offensive spurt and create some turnovers from the Indians throughout the game. QB Will Schneider of SM North continues to carry his leadership role in the most crucial of times deep in to this playoff run that has not happened since the 2000 season. Ironically, both playoff opponents were the Eagles, and Chesty Lions.
With all of the momentum swinging the Indians way, the Chesty Lions will need to find an offensive spurt and create some turnovers from the Indians throughout the game. QB Will Schneider of SM North continues to carry his leadership role in the most crucial of times deep in to this playoff run that has not happened since the 2000 season. Ironically, both playoff opponents were the Eagles, and Chesty Lions.
6A-West
3 Garden City Buffaloes vs 6 Free State Firebirds (First meeting, series tied 0-0)
For the first time in Sunflower League history, the Firebirds will travel to Garden City to take on a red hot undefeated Buffaloes Football team. As good as the Firebirds have been playing the last six weeks, they will have one of the toughest road playoff games of the season ahead of them.
The Buffaloes are led by 7th year Head Coach Brian Hill, who is 45-23 overall, 19-9 in the Western Athletic Conference, and 3-3 in the playoffs. This will be a first hosting a Sunflower League Football team west of Topeka.
Bob Lisher's Firebirds will look to end the Buffaloes season with Dallas Crittendon's leadership at QB that could make it very tough to defend. The playoff experience of the Firebirds will be key to ending Garden City's momentum in the west bracket. Derby and Manhattan also field 9-0 records with teams looking to knock them out.
Bob Lisher's Firebirds will look to end the Buffaloes season with Dallas Crittendon's leadership at QB that could make it very tough to defend. The playoff experience of the Firebirds will be key to ending Garden City's momentum in the west bracket. Derby and Manhattan also field 9-0 records with teams looking to knock them out.
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Darren Sproles NFL All-Pupose Damage!
NFL All-Purpose Top #10
Congratulations and many cheers to Olathe North Eagles alumni Darren Sproles ('01) who recently accomplished a goal of climbing to #8 all-time on the NFL All-Purpose Yards charts.
This past week, Darren Sproles reached 18,498 total yards covering a span of 12 seasons from 2005 to present. Those 12 seasons cover stints with the San Diego Chargers, New Orleans Saints, and Philadelphia Eagles. Prior to entering the NFL, Darren was a standout for the Kansas State (K-State) Wildcats of the Big XII. Moving up to #8 all-time allows him to be in the company of NFL Greats Barry Sanders, LaDainian Tomlinson, Jerry Rice, Walter Payton, and many more.
Long before the NFL was in the picture, Darren Sproles was a hidden gem within Johnson County, KS starring at Football powerhouse Olathe North. During Darren's time at Olathe North, he was coached by legendary Head Coach Gene Weir (1981-2002 (1997-2000), 2012-2014) leading the Eagles to 3 6A State Football Titles in four years from 1997-2000.
Below are additional accomplishments Darren Sproles earned while an Olathe North Eagle:
* Thomas A. Simone Award Winner
* Kansas Hall Of Fame Player of The Year 2000
* USA Today Player of The Year
* Career at Olathe North: 5,230 Yards/79 Touchdowns
* High School All-American by Student Sports Magazine
* Kansas City Star Player of the Year 2x
* Starred in Spring Track & Field
NFL Draft Status:
* 2005 Draft
* Round #4/Pick #130
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