Eudora High senior Brittney Graff is again showing she’ll be a runner to be reckoned with at the state level this fall.

Graff, the reigning All-Area Girls Cross Country Athlete of the Year, placed first among 332 runners at the Southern Stampede on Saturday at Missouri Southern University in Joplin, Mo., in a time of 18 minutes, 31 seconds.

“I thought she came out and took control of the race. She handled the pressure in facing some state champions from Oklahoma, Missouri and Arkansas,” said Eudora coach Paul Boone. “She took control right away and ran with confidence. She reached down and showed what we can do. This is one of the biggest races in the Midwest.”

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Elite company: Free State High (3-0) is one of three football teams still undefeated in the Sunflower League. The two others are Olathe North and Olathe South.

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Back in form: In true Lawrence High form, the Lions had two running backs with more than 100 yards Friday in the 42-21 victory against Shawnee Mission South: Tony Williams (207) and Tyler Hunt (101). Williams’ total was a career high, and included three touchdowns.

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Instant offense: After Friday’s 20-14 victory against Shawnee Mission North, Free State quarterback Ryan Murphy is averaging 141.6 yards passing and 75.3 yards rushing per game.

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The right elixir: A lot of water, potassium pills, bananas and gameday helpings of Rehydralite – a fluid used for sick children -worked for Free State’s Brian and Ryan Murphy. After cramps sent the football stars to the sideline in both of their previous games, they played all 48 minutes in Free State’s 20-14 win against Shawnee Mission North Friday. “All the precautions,” quarterback Ryan Murphy said, “everything we did during the week just helped me not cramp up.”

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Clamping down: Before the Shawnee Mission North game, the Firebirds gave up an average of 206 yards rushing per game. Shawnee Mission North gained only 99.

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No go on ‘O’: LHS soccer already has tripled last season’s win total on the heels of its strong defensive play, but the Lions’ offense must improve. They struggle to control possession, and Olathe East attempted a staggering 26 shots on goal against the Lions last week.

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Four hands better than two: What does a coach do when he has two good senior goalies? Start them both. LHS soccer coach David Platt has alternated David Liston and Colin Flanders from game to game. Liston said the competition brings out the best in them.