Olathe North High has played its share of tough western Kansas foes during its remarkable title run the last six years.

But when the Eagles (12-0) meet Derby (11-1) at 2:45 p.m. today at Memorial Stadium for the Class 6A state title, itâÂÂll mark the first time the two teams have ever played. Odd, considering each programâÂÂs prestige.

The Panthers were one of the dominant teams of the early âÂÂ90s, butting heads with Lawrence High in the title game from âÂÂ93-âÂÂ95, winning once. In âÂÂ’96, the Eagles began their run of winning five titles in six years, beating Wichita Northwest, Wichita West, Garden City and Manhattan (twice).

âÂÂItâÂÂs kind of amazing,â Eagles coach Gene Wier said. âÂÂYear in, year out, theyâÂÂre one of the top programs in the western half of the state. To me, when you look at how good they are, itâÂÂs odd weâÂÂve never played.âÂÂ

It almost didnâÂÂt happen.

North escaped with a 12-10 win last Friday against Olathe East, while Derby staged a comeback against previously unbeaten Hutchinson, scoring 21 unanswered points for a 28-17 victory.

It avenged the Panthersâ 27-17 loss to Hutchinson earlier this season.

Derby, 6AâÂÂs highest-scoring team, features a fairly balanced offense, mixing passes from quarterback Elmer Tagatec (29 of 52 for 382 yards in the three playoff games), and runs from tailback Alex Wayman (62 carries for 224 playoff yards).

TagatecâÂÂs two main targets, Scott Heckathorn and Bryce Lang, each have more than 130 yards receiving in the playoffs.

ItâÂÂs that balance that threatens to halt the Eaglesâ 37-game winning streak, the longest for any school in 6A history, surpassing an LHS 35-game run from 1991 to 1994.

âÂÂItâÂÂs really hard to prepare for someone you havenâÂÂt seen,â Wier said. âÂÂWe want to be very basic, run the ball, play defense, hope we get a break.

âÂÂIn these games, thereâÂÂs always a swing.âÂÂ

Wier and Derby coach Tom Young know thatâÂÂs true.

Wier is trying to join LHS coaches Bill Freeman and Dick Purdy as the only coaches to win six 6A titles, and Young is going for his fourth. HeâÂÂs the only coach in Kansas history to win state titles with three different schools.

To do that, Derby will have to stop the Eaglesâ formidable running attack, led by senior Jim Bouknight, whoâÂÂs rushed for 2,601 yards this season. ThatâÂÂs a North school record, breaking Darren Sprolesâ 2000 mark by 150 yards. HeâÂÂs also the fourth consecutive Eagles back to rush for more than 2,000 in a season.

Then thereâÂÂs the Olathe North defense, which hasnâÂÂt allowed more than 14 points in eight straight games.

âÂÂOur kids know what they have to do,â Wier said.