The stadium at South is much different than North. There is a large parking lot behind the west stands of the stadium, unlike North, where you park in the northwest end zone by the fieldhouse, but to get into the stadium at South, you have to walk up steps to the gate, walk up some more steps once you're inside, then go down to the field. The stadium is about 25-30 feet higher than street level, which means it won't flood, and it does provide some nice views of the trees to the northwest and the high-rise hotels to the south, although you cannot see I-435. I have stayed at the Overland Park Marriott on many an occasion and could see the lights of SM South. In fact, I could see the lights tonight from I-435 and Quivira Road, which is about five miles away.
It is a WEST home game, even though South is playing on its own turf. Three of the five Shawnee Mission schools--West, Northwest and East--do not have their own football stadiums, and thus must play at North and South, which have the stadiums. One of the by-products is that the host school sometimes has to act as the visiting team, although the only way you could tell South is the visiting team tonight is they will be using the East (visiting) sideline instead of the West (press box).
Why can't you tell South is the designated visiting team otherwise? First, West is wearing its white jerseys. The rule for the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), which governs high school athleticxs, states the visiting team in football games must wear white jerseys. It used to be the visitors could wear gold or some other light color to contrast with the home team, but this year, the rule became strictly white for the visitors. However, West and South have agreed to this setup, and I think it's because West has designated this game as their breast cancer awareness game, and all of the players have pink towels and pink undershirts, and that goes better with white than with black, which is West's normal home jerseys. Or, it could be West is letting South wear its home jerseys in its stadium. I don't think it's a big deal. I wish the NFHS would let the home team wear white if it informed the visiting team in time.
Second, South is using its own dressing room as the designaed visitor. Tomorrow night, when Shawnee Mission East uses South's stadium for its homecoming with Olathe East, the Lancers will be using that dressing room. Interesting. Don't see anything wrong with South keeping its locker room. Makes it easy.
Both teams are 3-1. I'll go with West ever so slightly, simply because they've played better against the two Lawrence schools, losing to Free State and defeating Lawrence High. South was shut out 23-0 by Shawnee Mission East in their opener, but have come back with wins over Leavenworth, Olathe North and Olathe East, not exactly murderer's row. If the Raiders win, it will not surprise me. But I like the Vikings of West.
This is the calm before the volleyball storm Saturday. I survived a six-match tournament at Hoisington last Saturday, where Smith Center lost in round robin play to Hoisington and St. John-Hudson and nearly was eliminated early, but came back to win the title by beating Hoisington in the semis and St. John in the final. The Lady Red went 2-1 Tuesday at Smith Center, defeating Stockton and Plainville but losing in three sets to Hill City.
This Saturday's tournament is at Concordia. Smith Center plays Clay Center, Conocrdia, Minneapolis and Southeast of Saline in pool play before the top two in each pool play in the semifinals and championship round. Hopefully, another six matches and back to the grind Sunday and Monday
That's all for now. I need to find rosters. Back tonight when I check into my hotel.
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