State Semi Finals-W-12 Sunflower

6A-EAST

5 BVN (8-3) vs. 3 ONE (9-2) @ ODAC - Series tied 4-0

* True North. If you are a Veteran, you may know that term quite well. True North. That term will determine Friday night's victor.

Friday night can determine which North will come out on top to represent the 6A East.

While the Mustangs and Eagles have proven to be in the top of their respective leagues outright, it will come down to ball control, clock management of two very good Football minds (Andy Sims of BV North) and Chris McCartney (Olathe North) to find the end zone and force turnovers.

These two may hail from the likes of Johnson County, but in all previous meetings met in (1987-88 week-4) and 2003 (week-12) - the last time the two met in the 6A Semi-Final of which the Eagles won 13-6 which feels like ages ago, and most recently in 2015 with the season on the line the Eagles again defeating the Mustangs in week-10.

Both Head Coaches began their tenures in that season, and both with quite success in the seasons that have followed. As this decade of Football comes closer to an end, the Eagles will look to find themselves back in the State Final since the 2009 season while the Mustangs are reigning 6A State Champions having won their only Football title in school history last year.

For the Mustangs to pull of a win at ODAC will not be easy, but it can be done. Since 1980, most any, and all road teams find themselves coming away with a rare win in that stadium.

Week-13 will meet the winner of Derby Panthers (11-0) and Manhattan Indians (10-1).

5A-EAST

1 STA (10-0) vs. 11 OWO (5-6) @ STA - Series tied 0-0

* The 5A-East has adjusted slightly since it's last version during the 2017 season.

Not many folks who follow the High School Football scene in Johnson County would have expected to see the young Owls of Olathe West in the Sub-State Final. Let alone, the ST Aquinas Saints, who in their time just south of College Boulevard in the 88-89 school year will see their first ever taste of Sunflower League Football.

While the Saints, are no strangers to post-season success, and have the resume to back that up, the Owls, out of nowhere are finding themselves in uncharted waters, yet attainable should they be able to make history in the 5A East bracket.

For those Owls keeping tabs on these 11 games, those 11 total games under their belts are the total number of times that Saints leader Randy Dreiling has made it to the Sub-State Final in an illustrious coaching career spanning 22 Varsity seasons with the Hutch SaltHawks, and ST Aquinas Saints.

Whoever wins out, could meet the hot Wichita Northwest Grizzlies, who are 11-0, who knocked off reigning 5A State Champions the Bishop Carroll Eagles in a barnburner 84-67. The Maize Eagles, themselves have a big task ahead of them in hopes of defeating the Grizzlies.

DYK? Mr. Novacek was a Saint Football student-athlete?

4A-EAST

5 BMS (9-2) vs. 2 BLB (10-1) @ Basehor - Stags lead series 3-0

* Can it be done? Is this the year? "Upset"

All of those questions will be answered after the final whistle, as Stags Coach Jon Holmes takes his men on the road to Basehor-Linwood.

In three prior meetings, the Stags have came away with a win, and all at home in 14-16-17 vs. Rod Stallbaumers Bobcats. With a couple hiccups, the Stags lost earlier in the year to the Saints, and also to the Rockhurst Hawklets ending their chances of another undefeated season. 2018, however, has taken some work to dig out of tough spots, and find adversity to keep moving to the next round of play.

Is it possible the Bobcats can come away with a win? Yes it is. Both teams are not lacking playoff experience, as the two are well Coached, and talented on both sides of the ball.

The winner of this game will meet the winner of McPherson Bullpups (11-0) vs. Goddard Lions (9-2).