Return to Shawnee Mission North

For the second time in three weeks, I'm spending my Thursday night at Shawnee Mission North's football stadium. This time, Shawnee Mission East is hosting reigning Class 6A state champion Olathe South in a battle of 3-0 Sunflower League teams. The Falcons were a surprise champion a year ago. Not many in Kansas gave them a chance to knock of Wichita Heights, which had dominated en route to the 2010 state championship and again in 2011 by going 12-0 to reach the title game. But Olathe South won 41-37, and now they look like they are a good bet to get back to the championship game from eastern Kansas, where Hutchinson will more than likely be waiting on the other side.

SM East has generally been forgotten when it comes to football success among the Shawnee Mission schools. Shawnee Mission North was the first high school in the district, and then came Shawnee Mission West, and both of those schools were outstanding throughout the 1970s. Shawnee Mission South also won a state championship, but East has never been to the title game, simply because they've run into some really good teams from Lawrence, Olathe East, Olathe North, Olathe South and the like in the playoffs. But Jordan Darling is one of Kansas' best high school quarterbacks, and this could be the Lancers' year.  A victory over Olathe South would go a long way into making believers out of a lot of the expert.

I am going to pick Olathe South to win tonight. But this game will be very close. I expect it to come down to the bitter end, and whomever has the ball last may very well win it. I'll call for Olathe South 31, Shawnee Mission East 28.

Both teams are on the field right now. Olathe South is warming up in the northwest end zone in white jerseys and blue pants, which is disappointing. I'd prefer them to be in white or yellow pants. Shawnee Mission East is in all black. Not a good combination, either. They have that light blue they could do so much with. Oh well.

I've got a lot to catch up on. Maybe tonight when I get to the hotel after the game I can do that. For now, so long.