Week-6 3 UP 3 DOWN

3 UP

1 - SM East Lancers 

Where to start? Leadership, Coaching, student-athletes, fans? The Lancers of SM East are once again competing an a rate of success never seen before. While that phrase sounds like high praise, the Lancers have a lot of work ahead of them and with two big games left in the regular season. The Chesty Lions recently split two games with Olathe North and South and would love to steal a road win against the Lancers at SM South Stadium. In the last three meetings, the Lancers have called SM North Stadium home in wins against the Chesty Lions. 

2 - SM South Raiders

The Raiders of SM South have gone from zero to hero in a matter of 12 months. Sporting an 0-ffer in 2016, the student-athletes of the Raiders Football team are eager to build this success. This week will be a huge game against sister school SM West. Since the 1997 season the Raiders are winless in 18 tries only having not played the Vikings in 2002 and 2003. There is no better time than now under Coach Brett Oberzan to start breaking these losing streaks as the talent pool is rebuilding for the Raiders. 

3 - SM Northwest Cougars 

Similar to the SM South Raiders, the Cougars of SM Northwest have began their remarkable turnaround after going a combined 2-16 in Bo Black's first two years at the helm. There is no question that learning from the film, and off-season preparations are paying off for the student-athletes inside the Cougar Football program. Two weeks ago the Cougars defeated the Vikings which has given them great confidence going in to the latter part of this 2017 season. 

3 DOWN

1 - SM West Vikings

In a very rare season, the Vikings have found themselves at the bottom of the league standings. While this is happening this 2017 season, except the team to learn a lot from what it is going through in a down year to rebound. From 6-4 to 0-6 is a wake up call for sure. This years Freshman will be Sophomores next Fall and looking to find and prove to the Viking Coaching staff that they are worthy of a possible starting spot. Coming up the Vikings will see the SM South Raiders with a chance to find their first win of the season. In all meetings since 2003, Tim Callaghan and his Vikings are 13-0 having never lost to the Raiders.

2 - OS Falcons

In 2016 the Falcons were the surprise of the Sunflower League. With a late season run that took them to a week-10 while the other three Football programs stayed home, it is a tough gig the second time around. QB SR Nick Jouret has either been playing and/or injured which has hurt in the standings. The Falcons should not be underestimated though, this group of young men are talented, and have a quality Coaching staff around them to keep building on. 

3 - SM North Indians

The Indians of SM North have been hit hard this season with its graduation of former SR QB Nick Schneider. Unfortunately from year to year, season to season, creating consistency in any Football program is hard. That said, the Indians have felt the sting as hard as anyone within the Sunflower League. This years program while losing their QB, has many bright spots ahead and a lot to work on for the future ahead.