Wood: O-North moves down, but don’t count it out
Darn the Journal-World archives.
With just a few clicks of the mouse at www.ljworld.com, any reader out to make me look stupid can do so with great ease. All they have to do is find their way to a story I wrote last September where I predicted with arrogance and confidence the 2003 Sunflower League football standings.
If you find anything else on the Internet that makes me look stupid, please keep it to yourself.
In hindsight, I was 2-for-11 in last year’s Sunflower League predictions column, getting Olathe East finishing first and Leavenworth last correct.
That’s a .182 batting average, not good enough to gain credibility, although I could bat sixth for the Royals.
This year, I worked hard to figure this league out. I read up on each team. I talked to coaches and sports writers from Johnson County. I even approached that rude crystal ball from basketball season, but he just told me to eat sand. I’ll get him back.
So here we go. If you want to take a nap from now until November, you’ll be OK, so long as you read the way it’ll be right here:
1. Olathe North. Despite having the second-smallest enrollment in the league, the Eagles return a ton of talent — including halfback Justin Gore, his brother, Jason Gore, and quarterback/safety Dustin Moomau. The Eagles are in Class 5A now, but they’re the best team in the league. Regular-season prediction: 8-1 overall, 5-1 Sunflower League.
2. Shawnee Mission North. Many see the Indians sliding into the driver’s seat for the 6A state title with O-North dropping out, but I won’t go that far. SM North is good, especially with a great quarterback like Mack Brown, but state champions of the last gazillion years have been run-dominated, and SM North isn’t. Nevertheless, the Indians will do great in the regular season. Prediction: 7-2, 5-1.
3. Olathe East. Andre Jones returns after rushing for nearly 1,500 yards behind the blocking of Todd Haselhorst last year. Haselhorst has gone to KU, as has top receiver/defensive back Anthony Parks, so defenses can key on Jones a little more. The Hawks still are more talented than most teams, but they’re not the best this year. Prediction: 7-2, 4-2.
4. Lawrence High. The Lions will run the ball whether they have the talent or not. This year they have the talent. Jeff Colter is a playmaker, and Ian Handshy will complement him in the backfield. The two are even more valuable on defense, and LHS will have complimentary players around them on both sides of the ball. Though the Lions lack experience, they’ll be better than most teams they play, if they show up to play. Prediction: 7-2, 4-2.
Audio: Coach Dirk Wedd, part 15. Shawnee Mission Northwest. The Cougars lost a large senior class, but quarterback Mike Garrison is back, and the Cougars have size up front to protect him. They won’t go 9-2 like last year, but to say they’ll drop off the table is a stretch. Prediction: 5-4, 3-3.
6. Shawnee Mission West. The Vikings have a ton of experience returning. Junior quarterback Tyler Lawrence is solid, and running back D.J. Barnett could rush for 1,000 yards. The Vikings were 2-7 last year, but they’ll be better. Prediction: 4-5, 3-3.
7. Free State. The Firebirds’ schedule isn’t kind for a young team. With SM North, Olathe East and SM Northwest right out of the gate, Free State will learn fast what the best teams in Kansas are like. I expect the Firebirds to finish strong, though. A state playoff appearance is possible if they grow up and play well in October. Prediction: 4-5, 2-4.
8. Shawnee Mission South. Many coaches predict the Raiders will surprise. They hung tough with many of the league’s best teams, including Olathe North, last year. With quarterback Connor McKay taking the reins, the Raiders might not be too bad. Prediction: 4-5, 2-4.
9. Shawnee Mission East. The Lancers will be good on defense, especially with Logan Rutherford back at linebacker. Offense could be a problem, though. Prediction: 3-6, 2-4.
10. Leavenworth. Traditional league cream puff will make strides under new coach Tom Young. The Pioneers will take time to adjust to the remodeled schemes, but nothing will come easy against them. Watch out in 2005. Prediction: 2-7, 1-5.
11. Olathe South. Another team rebuilding after a rough couple of years. O-South has a good athletic receiver in Bryce Morris, but South needs players — a lot of them — to step up. Maybe next year. Prediction: 2-7, 1-5.
12. Olathe Northwest. The new kids on the block, and only one player, quarterback Vinny Gay, has any real varsity experience. Ask any coach, and they’ll tell you how important experience is. Prediction: 1-8, 1-5.