Blue Valley Tigers (8-3) vs. Blue Valley West Jaguars (8-3)
Blue Valley DAC
Overland Park, Kan.
Friday, Nov. 22, 2013 at 7 p.m.

Last Week:
Blue Valley 38-0 Mill Valley Jaguars — Mill Valley had their minds set on an an actual game, until they were forced to go to their second string quarterback on the third play of the game. Mill Valley never threatened to score, and BV had excellent ball control, committing only one turnover.

Blue Valley West 38-24 Bishop Miege — The Bishop Miege Stags continued to threaten BV West until the fourth quarter, when the Miege offense grinded to a halt, and the Jaguars pulled away to avenge an early season loss to Miege. BV West is now ranked as the fifth best team in the state.

Fun Facts

• BV West is the only other school in the district to have won a football State title, taking home the crown in 2007.
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• While BV is only 2-3 at home this season, it is 5-0 on the road.
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• Both teams have nearly identical offensive production. BV West has scored 364 points on the year, while BV has scored 362.
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• BV has a defense that allows just 11.9 points per game.
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• BV West has a defense allowing 19 points per game.

Players to Watch:
Blue Valley:
Senior Mikey Henson – Wide Receiver
Senior Logan Brettell – Quarterback
Senior Henry McGrew – Linebacker

Blue Valley West:
Grant Garcia – Running Back / Kick Returner
Ryan Ralston –  Quarterback
Hunter Saulsbury – Offensive / Defensive Lineman

What this game means:
BV will surely have the season finale on their minds, and some revenge for the heartbreaking 1-point loss will surely be in the back of each players minds. But for this game, both teams will be far more focused on what lays ahead for the winner: State. Records, stats and rankings are all out the window now. The winner gets to live it up at the State title game in Emporia, Kansas, and the loser stays home. Simple, right?

Blue Valley can win if: They win the possession battle. The last time these two teams faced off, BV shot itself in the foot and turned the ball over five times, letting a very winnable game slip away. The Tigers have won every game this season in which they have committed fewer turnovers than the opposing team. Should that trend occur again tonight, the Tigers will come out on top.

Blue Valley West can win if: Their defense comes through. Statistically, both teams offenses are extremely close in terms of production, but the Jaguar defense allows eight more points per game that the BV defense does. The game could and should come down to the fourth quarter, and BV West will need stops if they want to spend next Saturday in Emporia, Kan.

Final Prediction: It took five BV turnovers to keep BV West in the ballgame the last time these two teams faced off. Both schools offenses are roughly equal on offense, but BV features a stout defense that has given up more than 30 points only once all season. This game, like many others this season, will be close. The home crowd for BV West may pose an initial challenge, but the BV has not lost on the road all season. Should both teams take care of possession, an entertaining battle will see the Tiger defense hold on at the end for victory, and Blue Valley is going to Emporia for the 3rd time in 4 years.

Final Score Prediction: Blue Valley 31-24 Blue Valley West