It’s true: O-East new king
What’s the fun in playing it safe?
Olathe North is the easy pick to win its gazillionth straight Sunflower League football crown. It would be typical. Expected. Smart, perhaps, and would certainly make sense. Lawrence High coach Dirk Wedd said he would pick the Eagles if he was the writer and I was the Lions’ coach (a scary thought).
“Until someone knocks them off, Olathe North is the team to beat,” Wedd said. “They play a lot like the old Lawrence High teams. They thought they were good, they played like they were good, and a lot of teams didn’t think they could beat them.”
Let’s see how much I listen. Predictions, please!
1. Olathe East. Wait a minute … Olathe who? It’s no typo. The Hawks are truly talented. With an exceptional offense led by athletic wide receiver Anthony Parks and tackle Todd Haselhorst, who has committed to Kansas University, Olathe East has the tools to dismantle a remarkable run by its neighbors to the north. The question remains if they can brush aside Olathe North’s on-field intimidation factor. I say yes. Regular-season prediction: 8-1.
2. Olathe North. Losing mastermind coach Gene Weir will hurt. Losing students to Olathe Northwest will hurt. The Eagles, like Lawrence in 1997, could see their last dominant year. Regardless, an Oct. 17 matchup with Olathe East will be the early end to their Sunflower League reign. Prediction: 7-2.
3. Free State. The Firebirds have an explosive offense led by spectacular wideout Dain Dillingham, big-bodied quarterback Caleb Harvey and fullback Cole Douglas. Add a big offensive line and an experienced defense, and Free State’s recent success looks to keep going. Now if only they could find a permanent place to play. Prediction: 6-3.
4. Shawnee Mission North. One position won’t carry a team, but SM North does return super senior Brooks Faddis, a receiver-turned-quarterback who was a first team all-league pick last season. He has help, too — enough to make the Indians contenders. Prediction: 6-3
5. Lawrence. The Lions lose two tremendous running backs in Chris Fulton and Brandon McAnderson, and arguably have the toughest schedule in the league. They play SM North, Olathe East, Olathe North and Free State — all on the road. LHS will be good, but it’ll be a challenge. Prediction: 5-4.
6. Shawnee Mission East. Every season needs a Cinderella, and the Lancers could be it. After a 1-5 league record in 2002, SM East brings back experience on both lines, as well as one of the league’s easiest schedules. Expect improvement. Prediction: 5-4.
7. Shawnee Mission Northwest. The Cougars flaunt a strong backfield and the league’s best defensive player in Mike Rivera. But depth will be an issue. They were .500 last season, and won’t improve. Prediction: 4-5.
8. Olathe South. An impressive pass offense couldn’t keep the Falcons from struggling in a rush-happy Sunflower League. With most of their studs gone, the Falcons have to rebuild. Prediction: 3-6.
9. Shawnee Mission West. Offense was a big problem for the Vikings in 2002, and experienced junior quarterback Vinnie Gay won’t keep them from struggling. Prediction: 2-7.
10. Shawnee Mission South. The Raiders stumbled to an 0-5 start last season, and 100-plus degree temperatures last month forced the district to cut short crucial August football practices. It’ll show. Prediction: 2-7.
11. Leavenworth. The Pioneers always try to rebuild, reload and be competitive, but the brutal Sunflower League schedule just won’t let them. Prediction: 1-8.