Preview: Football vs. Olathe North

Coming off of a last-minute victory over Olathe Northwest, the 3-0 SM East football team looks to take down an athletic Olathe North squad in their first truly challenging game of the season.

In last week’s highly anticipated face-off against former coach Chip Sherman, fumbles and strong running game from Olathe Northwest put the Lancers down 20-22 in the final minutes of the game. A spectacular hail mary pass from senior Christian Blessen was caught in the end zone by junior Alec Dean, winning the game with no time left on the clock.

The game showed that the East offense could operate under close-game situations, which could be necessary in tonight’s game against Olathe North. The team is cited by Eli Underwood’s Sunflower League Football blog as having “more pure athleticism” than any other team East will face this season.

Olathe North is 2-1, barely beating rivals Olathe North 26-23 and solidly defeating SM North last week 62-14. The team lost to SM South 7-10. With three Division I prospects on their defensive line, North will provide strong pressure on Blessen and his pocket. After their standout performances last game, Blessen will be expected to look to pass to Dean and run the ball with senior Mitch Tyler in East’s flexbone offense.

On the defensive side, juniors Kyle Ball and Sam Williams – who had an interception in the game against Olathe Northwest – will be expected to pressure North’s junior quarterback Cole Murphy. The East defense will also look to double team several North wide receivers in order to keep their pass game from warming up.

Kickoff will begin at 7 p.m. at College Boulevard Activity Center and the theme for the student section is tropical. Can’t make it to the game? Watch the live broadcast here.

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