Blue Valley Tigers (6-1) vs. Olathe South Falcons (6-1)
(Home game)
Friday, Oct. 24, 2014 at 7 p.m.
Blue Valley:
The Tigers delivered one of the most painful, ruthless and efficient executions of football in recent memory, bludgeoning the hapless Gardner-Edgerton Trailblazers 70-20. With playoff qualification beginning, the 0-7 Trailblazers were in for a long night.
It was never even close. Between running back junior A.J. Totta and running back sophomore Will Evans, the Tigers racked up over 500 total rushing yards and raced to a 42-7 lead at the half.
However, with point differential in district qualifiers being a factor in playoff qualification, the Tigers kept hungry for points. More than nine different players rushed the ball, and a suffocating defense held Gardner to only 266 yards of total offense.
Blue Valley stepped its state ranking up to number three.
Olathe South:
The Falcons pulled away from the Huskies of Blue Valley Northwest thanks to a strong fourth-quarter performance, winning 42-20.
The defense came up with multiple stops in the quarter and rendered a dangerous Husky offense ineffective.
The Falcons are one step closer to the postseason and find themselves ranked number four in the state of Kansas.
BV will win if: The Tigers win the possession battle.
Teams that defeat quality opponents often possess the ball more.
The Tigers must keep drives going and prevent the high-flying Falcon offense from being on the field for long periods of time. If the chains keep moving, especially on third down, the chances of a Tiger victory will dramatically increase.
Players to watch:
BV — Quarterback Junior Colton McCumber
With the Tiger rushing game utterly pounding Gardner into submission, McCumber had little need to throw the ball, attempting just 11 passes the entire night. Against a Falcon defense previously allowing just 17 points a game, it is unlikely the rushing attack can do the job alone. McCumber will have to be comfortable in the pocket and pass the ball to keep the chains moving.
Olathe South — Running Back Junior DaeVonte Nance
Nance has been an important part of a Falcon offense that scores over 32 points a game. He ran wild against BV Northwest and will look to wreak havoc against the Tigers this evening. It will be vital for the Blue Valley defense to keep him in check, or it will be a long night.
Prediction:
The Tigers can almost certainly clinch a playoff berth with a win tonight, resulting in high intensity all around. The Falcons have lost only one game this season, to undefeated Olathe North. They will almost certainly be the best team the Tigers have faced in the regular season. Behind one of the best defenses in the state, the Tigers will be in position to win. The offense will come up clutch in the second half behind a strong rushing attack, and the Tigers will be celebrating a berth in the playoffs.
BV: 31
Olathe South: 24
